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LOT 1094
Jemdet Nasr Period Steatite Cylinder Seal
CIRCA 3000 B.C.
5/8 in. (10.77 grams, 17 mm).
Accompanied by a copy of an old scholarly note, typed and signed by W.G. Lambert, late Professor of Assyriology, University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Cylinder Seal of soft Black Stone, 18 x 18 mm. The art shows a row of three horned animals, each distinct from the other two by its horns. Over the backs of two there is a ladder motif. This is a seal of the Jemdet Nasr period, c. 3000 B.C., from Mesopotamia or south-west Iran. The bodies of the animals are carefully modelled and the whole work is deeply engraved so that in the impression the animals stand out in deep relief. Of its kind this is a good example, in fine state of preservation. The ideology behind this scene comes from temple herds, because ordinary people rarely owned the larger domesticated animals, but normally sheep and goats. Thus cattle and other horned quadrupeds which were being domesticated at this time were the prized possession of the community. The ladder pattern is probably a stylized form of an ear of barley, which occurs (disproportionately large) behind the animal in some more detailed seal of this period.'; supplied with a museum-quality impression.
ProvenanceFrom the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s, with collection reference no.119-2.
Accompanied by a copy of a scholarly note, typed and signed by Professor Wilfrid George Lambert dated December 1991.
This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
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AUCTIONS:
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Old Babylonian Red Agate Cylinder Seal with Geometric Design
Circa 2000-1800 B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £143
Cylindrical with a narrow panel of geometric motifs; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 2.15 grams, 22 mm
From the private collection of a North American lady, formed 1970s-early 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
West Central Asian Bronze Stamp Seal Matrix with Rosette Cross
Circa 2300-2000 B.C.Estimate: £100 - 140 (+bp*)
Opening Bid: £50
Openwork quatrefoil with triangular loop to the reverse; accompanied by typed and signed note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993, which states: 'Stamp Seal of Bronze, 43 x 43 x 19 mm. This is an open-work compartmented seal bearing the shape of the design: a rosette with four petals, with an extra layer around the edge. on the back there is a handle of thick sheet metal in an inverted V-shape. This comes from West Central Asia and dates to c. 2300-2000 B.C. It is an unusual design. The outer rim is dented a little, otherwise it is in good condition.' 26 grams, 44 mm
Ex collection of a late London gentleman, 1990s. Accompanied by an original typed and signed scholarly note by the late W.G. Lambert, Professor of Assyriology at the University of Birmingham, 1970-1993. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Sumerian Cylinder Seal with Animals
3rd-2nd millennium B.C.Sold for (Inc. bp): £286
With frieze depicting rearing beasts and anthropomorphic figure holding two by the neck, the 'Master of Animals'; supplied with a museum-quality impression. 13.3 grams, 29 mm
Acquired in the mid 1980s-1990s. Private collection, Switzerland, thence by descent. Private collection, since the late 1990s. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
